Sometimes, extraordinary circumstances can yield diplomatic breakthroughs. We might be on the cusp of achieving that with Iran.

The coronavirus has hit the country particularly hard. Not only did the authorities lie for many days about the severity of the outbreak, which led to Iran becoming one of the global epicenters of the disease, but sanctions on the economy have also limited the country’s ability to adequately address the crisis.

It’s clear that Iran needs help and the United States and other developed countries could provide it. The Iranian regime is not known for being receptive to aid or advice from the international community — it has stubbornly stuck to its ideological guns through war, earthquakes, etc.…  Seguir leyendo »

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s inept and dishonest response to the initial outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus is exacerbating an already dangerous situation. Now it is arguably threatening to spark a regional epidemic as well.

Under Iran’s theocratic rule, where human life holds little value, the state’s lackadaisical response was completely predictable.

On Monday, a member of Iran’s parliament claimed that the death toll from the virus in the region he represents has already reached 50 people, far surpassing the 12 deaths the country’s health ministry has confirmed.

His district, Qom, is the epicenter of the coronavirus in Iran.

As the country’s religious capital, home to many seminaries as well as an important Shiite pilgrimage site, Qom is a bustling city of over a million people that receives an estimated 22.5 million visitors each year.…  Seguir leyendo »